Click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.
Athens Shingoose returned to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 18, and provided a spark for the Raiders with a couple good chances. (Image Credit: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)
Raiders lose 3-1

Hitmen snap Raiders win streak in final game of homestand

Nov 4, 2026 | 11:44 PM

With momentum rolling for the Prince Albert Raiders coming into Wednesday’s matchup against the Calgary Hitmen, the Raiders were looking to close out a three game homestand on a good note Wednesday night.

Both teams had to get to the gritty areas to score their goals, and the Raiders even tied the game late only to have their goal overturned, and the Hitmen added an empty netter for the 3-1 win.

The Raiders came out of the gates hard, and Brock Cripps forced a powerplay early with his usual crafty skating that caused a player to reach in and trip him. That powrerplay was unsuccessful, but the Raiders had momentum early and got out to a 7-1 shot lead. By the end of the period though, the Hitmen were firing back and nearly tied things on the shot clock.

Neither team managed many chances from the middle of the ice though, but the few chances that made it on goal were fought off by Michal Orsulak ib the Raiders crease and Eric Tu for the Hitmen.

After 1: Raiders 0 – 0 Hitmen, shots 9-8 Raiders

The Hitmen took their second penalty of the night in the first few seconds of the period, but again they fought it off. Shortly after at 4:53, they found the game’s first goal when Charlie Kresl stepped up on the forecheck and took the puck away from the Raiders behind the net. Kresl quickly turned and sent the pass out front for Artem Katsuro, and he onetimed it in.

The Raiders pushed back through the back half of the period, but Eric Tu in goal made some great saves to keep his team ahead. His best save saw him rob Brandon Gorzynski with a shot from the middle of the slot on the blocker.

After 2: Raiders 0 – 1 Hitmen, shots 12-9 Raiders, 21-17 Raiders overall

At the 4:48 mark, the Raiders tied it. Alisher Sarkenov skated through the middle of centre ice, then passed right for Ben Harvey at the blueline. Harvey crossed the line and stopped while Sarkenov drove the goal, Harvey fed Brandon Gorzynski trailing in, and Gorzynski put the puck on goal and snuck it through the fivehole for his ninth of the season.

Halfway through the period and it looked like the Raiders were about to score when Jonah Sivertson collected a loose puck in front of the goal, but Eric Tu made a great save. The rebound led directly to a 3-on-1 the other way for the Hitmen, and at 9:40 Blake Vanek decided to fire it himself to give the Hitmen the lead back.

Just over 15 minutes in, it looked like the Raiders had tied it when Henry Chmiel drove the puck in on the left while Ben Harvey crashed the goal. Chmiel gave it to Harvey, who puck the puck off the goaltender’s pad out to Alisher Sarkenov, and Sarkenov put the puck in the net. Only problem was that Harvey had stepped in offside, and the Hitmen issued a successful challenge to overturn the goal.

Instead, at the 19:18 mark, the Hitmen blocked a shot out to centre and Charlie Kresl hit the empty netter to seal the game for the Hitmen.

FINAL: Raiders 1 – 3 Hitmen, shots 13-9 Hitmen, 30-30 overall

The Raiders have the next two days off before heading to Alberta to take on the Red Deer Rebels Saturday, then the Edmonton Oil Kings Saturday.